Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment following a reported £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their previous two matches following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline without a goalless game for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this season having six and remains eager to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their following ten league games against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
